Chapter 1396: We'll See If She Comes Out

Chapter 1396: Chapter 1072: We’ll See If She Comes Out

Based on the current battle situation, Xue Lin is constrained everywhere, but he hasn’t lost ground. Under these circumstances, he can continue fighting or withdraw with the sounding of the gong, but Yu Wenye decided to send himself down to assist in the battle —

To assist personally, is such a minor figure like Shi Yutao worth it?

Seeing Shen Tu Tai appear somewhat hesitant, Yu Wenye said, “Didn’t you just say Shi Yutao has a sister?”

Shen Tu Tai immediately understood: “Your Highness wants to lure Shi Yuxin out?”

“…”

Yu Wenye said nothing, instead gazing at the orderly battle formation below the city tower, and after a moment of silence, he said, “If she can be drawn out, then we’ll talk.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Tu Tai seemed to realize something too. He turned to look below the city tower, and as they spoke, Xue Lin had already wheeled his horse around and clashed with Shi Yutao several times more. It’s obvious that in terms of combat power and experience, he is completely inferior to Shi Yutao, but this lad possesses an innate combat wisdom, always managing to turn the tide at critical moments.

A promising talent nonetheless.

Watching as he continued to be suppressed by Shi Yutao, Shen Tu Tai couldn’t ponder much further and murmured, “I shall go down at once.”

He spoke and then strode down the city tower, leapt onto his warhorse, accepted the long spear delivered by a subordinate, and galloped toward the city gate.

Outside, the battle was in full swing. As Shi Yutao repeatedly struck with his hand axe, nearly bending Xue Lin’s spear shaft, and the soldiers behind roared with excitement, suddenly a gust of wind blew from inside the city gate, carrying an air of murderous intent that hit them head-on, making them instinctively look forward.

Shen Tu Tai appeared through the city gate, holding the reins with one hand and the flipped long spear with the other, riding forth.

The soldiers behind Xue Lin immediately split into two lines, making way for him. After passing through the crowd, Shen Tu Tai tugged slightly at the reins, causing his horse to slow but not stop, advancing toward the battle. At this moment, Shi Yutao was pressing the hand axe against Xue Lin’s spear; although wholly focused on his action, he seemed to feel something, glanced hurriedly, and his fierce expression changed instantly.

Prior to this, he hadn’t seen Shen Tu Tai but recognized him immediately.

Ever since joining Xiao Yuansui’s ranks, Shi Yutao had eagerly anticipated encountering and challenging Shen Tu Tai.

Yet, unknown to anyone, even this anticipation carried a hint of fear.

Watching the towering figure who appeared like a black iron tower, even before approaching, an intangible pressure seemed to advance with the wind, causing Shi Yutao’s breath to hitch, and momentarily freezing his movements. Seizing this gap, Xue Lin vigorously pushed aside Shi Yutao’s hand axe and thrust his spear forward again.

Shi Yutao leisurely swung his hand axe, blocking the thrust with a clang, then retreated a few paces.

Xue Lin quickly reined his horse to step back two paces.

He, too, noticed Shen Tu Tai and immediately said, “General Shen Tu…”

Shen Tu Tai didn’t speak, just lifted his chin at Xue Lin slightly, and the soldiers who had followed him so far knew well that the appearance of this invincible general signaled certain victory, especially since they saw Shi Yutao with a clear intent to avoid the battle, so they loudly began to shout —

“Come, come on!”

“What’s wrong, afraid?”

“Haha, coward, tuck your tail and flee.”

On the other side, the soldiers originally held the advantage, but upon seeing Shen Tu Tai’s presence and Shi Yutao’s retreat, they lost their nerve and few dared to speak; noting this, Shi Yutao surged with anger, drove his horse forward two steps, and, looking at Xue Lin and Shen Tu Tai, sneered coldly, “What, are you going to play the round-robin strategy? I will oblige!”

Several personal soldiers immediately stepped forward: “General!”

Shi Yutao waved them off, glaring angrily at Shen Tu Tai, though he hadn’t yet struck, his eyes already filled with fury: “Come on!”

Contrasting the other’s aggressiveness, Shen Tu Tai seemed remarkably composed, smiling lightly: “I’m not here for a round-robin fight, merely to support my brother. However, if you truly wish for a duel, I won’t deny it. But—”

He lifted his gaze beyond Shi Yutao.

Behind the well-ordered ranks, no one knows who else is there, and Yu Wenye had said — if she can be drawn out, then they’ll talk, but can she truly be drawn out?

Perceiving his gaze wasn’t fixed on him, Shi Yutao furrowed his brow: “But what?”

Only then did Shen Tu Tai scrutinize him again, his gaze indifferent, like checking a child’s attire for tidiness, then shook his head and smiled: “You should return; I do not cut down nameless generals.”

He then waved and turned, with Xue Lin, heading back.

Shi Yutao’s eyes turned red in an instant.

These words were what he had just said to Xue Lin, who couldn’t have expected them to swiftly be used against him. Although in Hebei, his name was quite renowned, compared to Shen Tu Tai’s world-renowned might, his fame meant nothing, especially this time, the most critical —

His blood boiled, Shi Yutao suddenly shook the reins: “Go!”

Immediately, his steed bolted like an arrow, the high-held Xuanhua Hand Axe barreling down with thunderous momentum toward Shen Tu Tai’s back.

“Ah!”

This all occurred in a flash. As he cried out, Xue Lin turned back frantically, seeing the enormous axe descending fiercely, shocked and wide-eyed!

Darn!

Just as he was terrified, suddenly a blink of cold light flashed before his eyes!

With a metallic clang, Shen Tu Tai, without turning his head, raised his right hand high, the long spear swung backwards. Seemingly a mere light gesture, it deftly deflected Shi Yutao’s mighty axe strike.

The force tilted Shi Yutao’s form atop his horse, yet undeterred, he hastily braced the axe against the ground, forced himself back into position, and immediately swung the axe horizontally, attempting to sever Shen Tu Tai’s head.

Shen Tu Tai did not turn, instead changing hands with the spear amidst the swing, his left hand bracing against his back, the spear upright beside his spine, wrist twisting to effortlessly block Shi Yutao’s axe aiming for his neck.

In anger and haste, Shi Yutao attempted to thrust the axe forward, targeting the back of his head.

Although strategy and warfare were full of surprises, deploying such a move was a sign of desperation.

Finally, Shen Tu Tai turned, expertly maneuvering the long spear to hold the axe, Shi Yutao panicked, tried to withdraw the axe only to find it stuck, and despite his efforts, Shen Tu Tai didn’t budge, even slightly pulling him forward!

Darn it!

Realizing his near defeat, Shi Yutao’s face paled, and the soldiers behind him panicked, intending to rush forward.

At that instant, a sharp sound suddenly pierced the air!